Corpus Christi, Texas, March 13, 2017 — Valero Energy Foundation and the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra (CCSO) are proud to present the 6th Annual Pops in the Park community concert on April 22, 2017 at Whataburger Field.

Corpus Christi native and celebrated Maestro, Lee Gwozdz, will conduct music from across America including all-time favorites such as; New York, New York, Chicago, Oklahoma, and of course Yellow Rose of Texas. Guests can also get their kicks on Route 66 and enjoy popular selections from the Beach Boys such as California Girls, along with a synchronized light show on the iconic Harbor Bridge and the biggest and most magnificent fireworks finale to date.

Many in the community know of Gwozdz’s engaging and entertaining symphonic pops concerts. He has conducted the Corpus Christi and Kingsville (KSO) Symphony Orchestras and is also conductor of the Cathedral Festival Orchestra, all made up of the finest of symphonic musicians from South Texas. He also conducted the Grand Opening of Concrete Street Amphitheater and the orchestra’s performance with country star Michael Martin Murphy.

Currently, Gwozdz serves as Director of Music for the Diocese and Cathedral of Corpus Christi and as Executive Director of The Cathedral Concert Series, both posts he has held for the past 32 years. He also serves as President of the American Federation of Pueri Cantores, an international organization of Catholic Youth Choirs under the auspices of the Vatican.

This past January 1st he had the honor of leading over 2500 singers from the USA to the Vatican to sing for the New Year’s Day Mass celebrated by His Holiness Pope Francis with the Corpus Christi Cathedral Youth Choirs at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Gwozdz was also chosen as the first American conductor to lead over 6000 choir members from throughout the world for both a Papal Audience and Service of Peace with Pope Francis where he had the honor of a personal encounter with His Holiness. As President of Pueri Cantores, travels since January have taken Gwozdz to England, Germany, Holland, Italy and Switzerland. He will also be leading honor choirs to Festivals in Rio de Janeiro this coming summer then to Barcelona in 2018.

Retired from education after serving 30 years (twenty-eight as an English teacher and two years as a new-teacher mentor), Shirley enjoys her life with family and friends while serving her community, church, and school in Corpus Christi, Texas. She is the creator and managing editor of The Paper Trail, an online news/blog site that serves to offer new, in-depth, and insightful responses to the events of the day.